Thread: Hi from the newbie in Napier

So I have been asked to add my 10c worth to the story of 7mmsaum taking a newbe on his first Sika hunt.

We left town a little after five and took a leisurely drive up into the hills. 7mmsaum, being the bloody good bloke he is, took time to point out each entry to good hunting spots while discussing ammo, rifles, scopes and who knows what else. I think at one time we even made a mention of our wives, but that may have just been my imagination.
On arrival at the carpark, 7mmsaum was quick to talk safety. Having learnt all my shooting on ranges, it was old hat but great to hear it being used in the wild. Checking each others rifles is a habit that will ensure we all get home with a great story, it takes but a moment and costs nothing.
I was surprised at the quality of the track to the hunting spot and was thinking this was looking like a bit of a gentleman's sport. Yup, I can do this I thought as the two evil buggers took a sharp right up a bush covered hillside. Having just, the week before, walked the Tongariro crossing, I thought I would be able to crush a little walk up the hill. Oh man was I wrong! Panting and puffing I must have scared off every bit of game in a ¼ mile. After what felt like a long time, probably only three, not four, heart attacks, we reached a clearing and settled in to wait for nature to return to her balance. It was a perfect time with a light wind blowing and 7mmsaum sharing little tidbits of helpful information as we scanned the opposite hillside.
Time cleared the evidence of our (my) noise and we spotted a Hind and her young. The decision was made to leave these two for another day. Suddenly there was tension in the air as a young stag was spotted in a clearing some 323yards away. The young chap had seen us and what played out next was a waiting game. Our stag was almost head on, presenting a less than perfect target. That is not to say impossible, but waiting paid dividends as our young man eventually turned to the side and the shot was taken. Watching through the binoculars, I saw the shot hit and I could tell even before the animal dropped it was a very good kill.
The next stage was the trek down the hill and back up the other side to retrieve the stag. I have some beautiful scars on my legs from the bush bashing we did to get our boy back down. I tried to remind my wife that chicks dig scars, but all I got was a look of whatever. By the time we (note I did none of this but saying we makes it sound so much more like a team!) butchered the stag it was getting a touch dark. The walk back to the ute was pleasant, I wasn't carrying the stag, and it was another good time to hear of past hunts and learn some important bush skills.
I had a truely great time with the boys and I can not thank 7mmsaum and his mate Ross enough for the experience. Our country needs more buggers like them period. Young men need to get back out in the bush and learn some skills. Perhaps if they did our country would be in less of a hole. Thanks again boys, I look forward to the Venison and any other trip you want me to pretend to be the dog on.